Are you pouring your heart and soul into creating YouTube videos, only to be met with crickets? You’re not alone. Many YouTubers, big and small, struggle to get their content seen. The good news is that creating the video is only half the battle. What you do after uploading is just as critical for YouTube growth. In this post, we’ll dive into 14 essential steps you need to take to optimize your video for reach, engagement, and ultimately, a thriving YouTube channel. Let’s get started!
1. Optimize Your YouTube Video File Name
Before you even upload your video to YouTube, make sure the file name is optimized. This is a seemingly small detail, but it provides YouTube with valuable context about your video’s content.
- Don’t: Use generic names like “Video1.mp4” or “FinalEdit.mov”.
- Do: Use descriptive keywords related to your video’s topic. For example, if your video is about “how to bake a chocolate cake,” name your file something like “how-to-bake-chocolate-cake.mp4.”
This simple step can improve your video’s searchability right from the start.
2. Craft a Compelling YouTube Video Title
Your video title is your first impression. It’s what viewers see when scrolling through search results or suggested videos, so it needs to be attention-grabbing and relevant.
- Keep it concise: Aim for a title that’s around 60-70 characters long, so it doesn’t get cut off in search results.
- Include keywords: Use keywords that people are likely to search for. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or TubeBuddy can help you identify relevant keywords.
- Be intriguing: Use power words or create a sense of curiosity to entice viewers to click. Examples include: “Secret Revealed,” “Shocking Truth,” or “Ultimate Guide.”
- Example: Instead of “Chocolate Cake Recipe,” try “The EASIEST Chocolate Cake Recipe EVER! (Beginner Friendly)”
3. Write a Detailed YouTube Video Description
Your video description is your chance to tell YouTube and viewers what your video is about. It’s a crucial factor in YouTube SEO and can significantly impact your video’s discoverability.
- Write a compelling opening: The first few lines are the most important, as they’re what viewers see before clicking “show more.” Hook them with a captivating summary of your video.
- Include keywords: Naturally incorporate relevant keywords throughout your description.
- Provide context: Give viewers a clear understanding of what they can expect to learn or see in your video.
- Add a call to action: Encourage viewers to like, comment, subscribe, or visit your website.
- Include timestamps: Timestamps allow viewers to easily navigate to specific sections of your video (as demonstrated in this post!).
- Disclaimers: Add any necessary disclaimers, such as affiliate links, as mentioned in the original video.
4. Leverage YouTube Growth Tools (Like 1of10)
The video mentions a specific tool called 1of10 and a YouTube academy. While we can’t directly endorse specific products, it highlights the importance of using tools designed to help with YouTube growth. Research and explore options that fit your needs, whether it’s for analytics, keyword research, thumbnail creation, or social media promotion.
5. Master YouTube Playlists, Links & Hashtags
Organizing your videos into playlists, adding relevant links, and using effective hashtags are all crucial for improving your channel’s discoverability and viewer experience.
- Playlists: Group similar videos together to encourage viewers to watch more of your content. Create playlists based on topic, theme, or series.
- Links: Include links to your other videos, social media profiles, website, or relevant resources in your video description. Make sure the most important link is at the top.
- Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags in your video title and description to increase its visibility in search and related video suggestions. Stick to a mix of broad and specific hashtags. Don’t overdo it – aim for 3-5 highly relevant tags.
6. Design Click-Worthy YouTube Thumbnails
Your video thumbnail is often the deciding factor in whether someone clicks on your video or not. It needs to be visually appealing, eye-catching, and accurately represent your video’s content.
- Use high-quality images: Avoid blurry or pixelated images.
- Include a clear and concise title: Make sure the text is easy to read, even on small screens.
- Use contrasting colors: Make your thumbnail stand out from the crowd.
- Include a face: Showing a human face can often increase click-through rates.
- Be consistent: Develop a consistent thumbnail style to help viewers recognize your channel.
- A/B test: Experiment with different thumbnails to see which ones perform best.
7. Optimize YouTube Tags for SEO
YouTube tags are keywords that help YouTube understand what your video is about and who it should be shown to.
- Use a mix of broad and specific tags: Include general terms related to your video’s topic, as well as more specific keywords that describe the content in detail.
- Use long-tail keywords: These are longer, more specific phrases that people might search for.
- Analyze your competitors: See what tags other successful videos in your niche are using.
- Use tag generators: Tools like TubeBuddy can help you find relevant tags.
8. Add End Screens
End screens are clickable elements that appear in the last 20 seconds of your video. They’re a powerful way to encourage viewers to subscribe, watch another video, or visit your website.
- Include a subscribe button: Make it easy for viewers to subscribe to your channel.
- Promote relevant videos: Suggest other videos that viewers might be interested in.
- Link to playlists: Encourage viewers to watch a series of your videos.
- Use a call to action: Tell viewers what you want them to do.
9. Publish After 24 Hours
This refers to publishing your video as “unlisted” for 24 hours. This allows YouTube’s algorithm to fully process and understand your video before making it public, potentially improving its discoverability.
10. Utilize Subtitles for Different Languages
Adding subtitles to your video makes it accessible to a wider audience, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as viewers who speak different languages. YouTube offers auto-generated subtitles, but it’s always best to review and edit them for accuracy.
11. Rewatch the Video (on a Second Channel)
This tip suggests watching your own video from start to finish on a separate YouTube account. This signals to YouTube that your video is engaging and worth watching, potentially boosting its ranking.
12. Link Shorts to Long-Form Content
If you create YouTube Shorts, link them to your longer videos to drive traffic and engagement. This can be done in the description or within the Short itself.
13. Engage in the Comments Section
Respond to comments, answer questions, and foster a sense of community. Engaging with your audience shows that you care about their feedback and encourages them to keep watching your videos.
14. Analyze and Iterate
Continuously track your video’s performance using YouTube Analytics. Pay attention to metrics like views, watch time, audience retention, and click-through rate. Use this data to identify what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Conclusion
Growing a successful YouTube channel requires more than just creating great content. By implementing these 14 post-upload strategies, you can significantly improve your video’s visibility, engagement, and overall performance. Remember, consistency is key. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep creating! Good luck!
